Princeton Spirit (Image: Racing Photos)
Rookie trainers are supposed to struggle in their first year as they establish themselves with small teams, but the winners keep coming for Julius Sandhu following the strong performance of Princeton Spirit at The Valley on Saturday.
Sandhu is just eight months into a career as a trainer but despite having just four horses in work he has already tasted metropolitan success three times - twice in the past four days.
Fresh off watching Swiss Moments score a last-to-first victory at Sandown on Wednesday, Sandhu was on track to see Princeton Spirit add another victory to his impressive record in the Silver Thomas Hanley Plate at The Valley.
"He's all heart this horse," Sandhu said. "I am really pleased with the way he fought through the race."
WATCH: Hear from Sandhu after the win
After finding an on-pace role for rider Beau Mertens, Princeton Spirit ($5) ran to the lead on the turn and then fought off all challengers to win by three-quarters of a length from Lord Barrington ($26), with a long head to Terindah ($12) in third place.
Sandhu said there was no secret to his early success as a trainer other than the grounding he had when working for Mick Kent at Cranbourne.
"We work hard and we've got some good horses and I've been really fortunate to work for Mick for such a long while and I've learned so much from him and he's always there to pick his brain," he said.
After beginning his career with Kent, Princeton Spirit has now won five of his seven starts.
WATCH: Princeton Spirit's win